Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A man convicted of killing his parents with a machete on the Meskwaki Nation Settlement in central Iowa has been sentenced to consecutive life terms in federal prison. Twenty-six-year-old Gordon Lasley Jr. was sentenced on two counts of second-degree murder. A jury found Lasley guilty in December of killing his parents, Gordon Lasley Sr. and Kim Lasley, with a machete on Feb. 5, 2014 at their home on the settlement near Tama.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has confirmed Beth Townsend’s appointment as director of Iowa Workforce Development. Townsend had been serving in the role in an interim capacity since the previous director retired in January. Townsend previously served as executive director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Former director Teresa Wahlert was accused last year of mismanaging the department and creating a hostile work environment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A proposal to bar minors from using tanning beds at salons has won approval in the Iowa Senate. Under the plan, those under the age of 18 would not be allowed to use a tanning device at a commercial establishment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Microsoft Corp. has sued the state of Iowa, claiming their application for a software contract was not fairly considered. The company alleges Iowa officials unfairly approved a competitor’s proposal. The petition seeks a reversal of Iowa’s $7.5 million contract with Tempus Nova to implement a cloud-based software system for thousands of state employees as part of the deal.